Do-It-yourself Hardscape Installation - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. It is always a good idea to use a marking paint or a garden hose to outline the area for excavation.

How deep do I need to excavate?

For walkways and patios it is recommended roughly 4. For driveways it is recommended 6 to 8. The depth will vary with the different types of soil.

How wide do I need to excavate?

Always add at least 4 on each side for the edge retraints. For example, if you are constructing a 3' wide walkway you will need to excavate the area to a total of 3' 8.

Can I compact all the base materials at once?

No. It is recommended that you compact base material every 2 to 4 at a time. This will allow even compaction and avoid any air pockets.

How much pitch should my pavers have?

A 2% pitch (quarter bubble on a level) is more than adequate for your pavers. Pavers should always be pitched to carry water away from structures or poor draining areas.

Where do I start to lay the pavers?

It is generally good to start laying your pavers at a 90 degree corner unless you are incorporating circles. If circles are involved, start laying them from the center of the
circle.

How do I lay pavers?

Do not drag the pavers across the base material. This will cause you to have large gaps between the pavers. Instead, butt them next to the neighboring brick and drop them into place. A common technique used by hardscapers to lay brick pavers called the "click- click-drop" method. Quite simply what this means is, as you are laying a paver into your pattern, holding the paver an inch or so above the base, you bring the paver so that one side contacts the side of a paver you've already laid. "Click." Then you slide the paver along until a second side makes contact with another paver adjacent to the first. "Click." With these two pavers now serving as a guide, you lower the paver onto the base. "Drop."

What do I use for the edge restraint?

There are different types of edge restraints that can be used but the most recommended is concrete. Be sure to install your edge restraint on top of the prepared base material. This will maximize the strength and durability of the edge restraint.